NFL schedule: Oakland Raiders' 2019 opponents set; home stadium isn't

NFL schedule: Oakland Raiders' 2019 opponents set; home stadium isn't

We don't know where the Oakland Raiders will play next season, but we do know who they will play.

The list of the Raiders' 2019 opponents was finalized Sunday, as the 2018 NFL regular season drew to a close.

The Raiders (4-12) already were scheduled to face the four teams from the AFC South and the NFC South as part of the NFL's matchup rotation, and of course, they'll meet their three regular AFC West opponents twice each. The final 2018 NFL standings also dictated that the Silver and Black will play the Cincinnati Bengals at home and the New York Jets on the road, as those teams finished last in their respective divisions, as Oakland did.

Where the home games actually will be played should be determined soon, as the Raiders decide whether to stay in Oakland for one more year, despite the city suing them, or pursue a temporary venue. The franchise again is scheduled to play internationally, so one of the home games will be held either in London or Mexico City.

That leaves seven other games' location in the air. Will they be played at AT&T Park? In San Diego? Maybe San Antonio? How about London? Las Vegas isn't an option until 2020, when the Raiders' new stadium there will be complete.

The answer needs to come soon, as the NFL works to put exact dates and kickoff times for its official schedule release, usually in April.

Raiders add veteran cornerback Nevin Lawson to young position group

Raiders add veteran cornerback Nevin Lawson to young position group

The Raiders have a young cornerback corps, in need of experience. That’s where Nevin Lawson comes in. The former Detroit Lions cover man signed with the Raiders on Wednesday night, the team announced, and joins a group headlined by Gareon Conley.

Lawson signed a one-year, $3.05 million contract, a league source said, becoming the second defensive player added in as many days.

High-profile free-agent signing Lamarcus Joyner is a safety by title, but will often play slot cornerback.

Lawson played more in the slot last year than ever, with 389 snaps inside and 402 near the boundaries.

He doesn’t have any interceptions as a professional -- teammates must give him grief over that one -- but has 25 passes defensed. According to analytics site Pro Football Focus, quarterbacks have a 103.3 passer rating when targeting him.

Lawson has been a steady starter the past three seasons and will surely compete for a significant role in Oakland as well. He’ll fight for a spot inside or out, and offers veteran’s experience where there isn’t much at this stage.

It doesn’t eliminate the prospect of drafting a cornerback relatively high, but it will create legitimate position battles this summer.

Lawson’s listed at 5-foot-9, 192 pounds. That’s a bit shorter than the Raiders prefer, but has proven reliable with just four missed games in the last four seasons.

Lawson visited the Raiders facility earlier Wednesday and came out with a contract. Several other defensive backs came in around the same time. That included safety George Iloka, who played for Raiders defensive coordinator Paul Guenther in Cincinnati. Reports also stated safety Curtis Riley was in the building. So was cornerback Tyler Patmon, per the Las Vegas Review Journal.

The Raiders could still be on the lookout for safety help on the free-agent market as they fortify the depth chart with lower-cost options after spending big on offense early in the free agent process.

NFL rumors: Former Raider Jared Cook nearing contract with Saints

NFL rumors: Former Raider Jared Cook nearing contract with Saints

The Raiders have been busy so far this offseason, making numerous changes up and down their roster heading into Jon Gruden's second season -- in his second Raiders' stint -- at the helm.

According to a new report, it appears they have more work left ahead of them.

The Saints are reportedly nearing a deal with tight end Jared Cook, according to ProFootball Talk's Charean Williams. As NBC Sports Bay Area's Scott Bair notes, this won't come as a surprise to the Raiders.

Raiders have long been resigned to fact he was going elsewhere. He’s gonna have huge numbers for the Saints. https://t.co/IVlbDQMqTx

Cook is coming off the best season of his career, in which he caught 68 passes for 896 yards and six touchdowns as Derek Carr's primary security blanket. While Oakland has made significant additions to their passing attack in the form of receivers Antonio Brown and Tyrell Williams, it appears they will need to find a new tight end as well.